Google introduces Gemini audio summaries for documents in Google Docs

Google has introduced a new Gemini-powered feature in Google Docs that allows users to listen to AI-generated audio summaries of their documents. The new tool is designed to help people consume long-form written content more flexibly, especially when they are away from their screens.

The feature converts documents such as product manuals, meeting minutes and quarterly business reports into short audio recaps that highlight the main points. Google is positioning the capability as a productivity tool that can help users stay informed while multitasking, commuting or carrying out daily activities.

Turning documents into spoken summaries

The Audio Summaries feature generates a concise spoken overview of a document using Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence model. The summary typically lasts a few minutes and focuses on the key ideas, offering users a quick way to understand lengthy files without reading them in full.

Google Docs users can access the feature on the web via the Tools menu, where the Audio option lets them listen to a summary of the document. Once selected, Gemini scans the file and produces a narrated version of the main points. Users can also choose an option to listen to the entire document, which reads the full text aloud for those who want a more detailed audio version.

The company says the voices used for the summaries are designed to sound natural and similar to the Gemini AI assistant. Playback controls allow users to pause, play and scrub through the timeline, while speed adjustments enable faster or slower listening depending on personal preference. Google also offers different voice styles, allowing some degree of personalisation in how the content is presented.

Aimed at productivity and accessibility

Google is positioning Audio Summaries as a tool to support productivity and accessibility. By converting documents into audio, users can review information while exercising, commuting or carrying out routine tasks. The feature could also benefit users who prefer listening to reading, as well as those with visual impairments who rely on spoken content.

The move reflects a broader trend among technology companies to integrate generative AI into productivity software. Audio summaries represent another step in turning written information into multiple formats, making it easier to consume content in different contexts. Google has been expanding Gemini’s role across its Workspace apps, including Gmail, Sheets and Slides, as part of its strategy to embed AI features into everyday workflows.

However, the company acknowledges that summaries may not capture every detail in a document. Users are advised to treat the audio recaps as an overview rather than a replacement for reviewing the full content, especially for complex or sensitive material.

Limited availability and potential drawbacks

The Audio Summaries feature is being rolled out gradually and is currently limited to paying customers. It is available to users on Workspace Business Standard and Plus plans, Workspace Enterprise Standard and Plus plans, and certain AI add-on tiers such as Google AI Ultra and Google AI Pro. Free users do not currently have access to the feature.

This restriction reflects Google’s broader approach of reserving advanced AI tools for premium tiers, which could limit adoption among individuals and small organisations that rely on free versions of Google Docs. While the company may expand availability in the future, it has not confirmed whether audio summaries will be offered to all users.

There are also potential concerns about accuracy and reliance on AI-generated content. Summarisation tools can sometimes omit important context or misinterpret complex information. As such, users may need to cross-check critical documents manually to avoid misunderstandings. Despite these limitations, the feature highlights how AI-driven audio could become a standard way to consume written content in productivity software.